RMA sponsors the essay contest in cooperation with the FFA each year, as a means
promoting awareness of ways of managing various risks
associated with farming to the nation's future farmers.

"Understanding risk management principles is vital to the success of our next
generation of farm producers," said RMA Administrator Eldon Gould. "This contest provides
an opportunity for FFA members
to demonstrate their comprehension of those principles."

The ten winners were chosen from 235 entrants, on the basis of content, adherence to the assigned topic, grammar, organization, originality and creativity. The contest challenges FFA members to apply the principles of risk management to their own personal enterprises in a 1000-word essay.

RMA
has a long history of partnering with FFA.
Administrator Gould recently hosted FFA Central Region National Vice President Anita
Estes, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska. Estes shadowed Gould
on March 21 as part of a yearlong program for national officers, participating
in discussions regarding upcoming RMA programs and the need for reliable management of risk in commercial
agricultural endeavors. "I am delighted to see such promising young people familiarizing
themselves with risk management techniques and planning careers in agriculture," said Gould.

Risk management essay contest winners and their advisors will receive expense-paid trips to Washington, D.C.,
during May 3-7, 2006, where they will visit USDA, their members of Congress, and the Capitol.